Fennimore claims D3 Lancaster Regional title

Eagles send 10 to individual sectionals, earn a spot in Team Sectional

The Fennimore wrestling team won the WIAA Division 3 Lancaster Regional Saturday and 10 athletes qualified for Saturdays D3 Individual Mineral Point Sectional. Fennimores sectional qualifiers are (front, from left): Mason Lull, Luke Blair, Trevor Wanek, Maguire Fitzgerald, Aidan Nutter, Will Ahnen, (back) Alex Birchman, Brody Lee, Aaron Ragels and Brayden Leffler.

Fennimore wrestling regionals — The Fennimore wrestling team won the WIAA Division 3 Lancaster Regional Saturday and 10 athletes qualified for Saturdays D3 Individual Mineral Point Sectional. Fennimores sectional qualifiers are (front, from left): Mason Lull, Luke Blair, Trevor Wanek, Maguire Fitzgerald, Aidan Nutter, Will Ahnen, (back) Alex Birchman, Brody Lee, Aaron Ragels and Brayden Leffler.

LANCASTER — It wasn’t really even close.

Senior Maguire Fitzgerald and junior Luke Blair returned to the lineup after missing the conference tournament, and the Fennimore wrestling team cruised to the regional title at Saturday’s WIAA Division 3 Lancaster Regional.

The Golden Eagles crowned six champions, had 10 sectional qualifiers and racked up 274 points to earn a berth in Wednesday’s WIAA D3 Fennimore Team Sectional, that was pushed back a day due to Monday night’s snow storm.

Sixth-ranked Lancaster finished a distance second with 220.5 points, while seventh-ranked Mineral Point finished thid with 200.5 points.

“Well, it was great to have the team back to full strength,” said Fennimore head coach Chad Steldt. “The overall team competed well, but we are still not hitting on all cylinders.”

Blair (113 pounds) and Fitzgerald (160), along with junior Mason Lull (120), junior Aidan Nutter (132), senior Trevor Wanek (138) and junior Will Ahnen (170) each won individual regional titles.

Sophomore Brody Lee (106, 25–10), junior Alex Birchman (126, 27–11), junior Aaron Ragels (195, 31–9) and senior Brayden Leffler (220, 26–10) each finished second to qualify for sectionals.

The top two regional finishers in each weight class advanced to Saturday’s WIAA Division 3 Individual Sectional. The top three finishers in each weight class at sectionals will advance to next week’s WIAA Individual State Championships at the Kohl Center in Madison.

Fitzgerald (32–5) was predictable rusty but scored a 3–2 decision over Mineral Point’s Mason Hughes in the 160-pound final.

“Maguire won, but it was ugly,” said Stedlt. “We will get some of the cobwebs shook out this week and he will have better matches ahead.”

Blair (28–7), who has been battling a knee injury all year, won the 113-pound title with a 7–5 decision over Lancaster’s Carter Lull.

“What can you say about Luke Blair; the kid has guts,” said Steldt. “It is now obvious to all that Luke has been dealing with some long-term knee issues that at times create excruciating pain but he’s tough and gutsy. In the last month, we have adapted his wrestling to fit his situation and we saw the training and detail come through with five seconds left in the match on Saturday when he hit his cement-mixer.”

Lull (30–12) won the 120-pound title with a second-period pin over Lancaster’s Caleb Lucey.

“Mason is looking the best he has this year,” said Steldt. “We are getting more movement on of him on his feet and he is now starting to hit several different pinning combinations from riding.”

Nutter (32–7) defeated Mineral Point’s Caden Carey 5–2 in the 132-pound championship.

“Aidan is starting to flow and chain wrestling better everyday,” said Steldt. “He is a deadly thrower, it runs in the family, but he attacks legs better than most. Probably more importantly he is being patient and not overreaching in his offense.”

Wanek (25–13) defeated top-seeded Darlington/Black Hawk’s Kolbe Ubersox 6–3 in the 138-pound final.

“Trevor Wanek is back!,” said Steldt. “It has been awhile since we seen the old Wanek that we have come accustomed to coaching and watching. He is hitting his best technique and conditioning at the right point in season.”

Ahnen (35–9) scored a 7–1 decision over Darlington/Black Hawk’s Carson Lobdell in the 170-pound title match.

“Will is wrestling well,” said Steldt. “His technique was solid, but his finishing of matches was lacking. The main attack is getting better though and that is what is important. He is doing a great job attacking low heel shots and misdirections.

Birchman broke his nose Saturday, but finished second after pushing Mineral Point’s Danny Pittz to the limit in a 4–2 championship loss.

“Alex Birchman breaks his nose and just keeps on wrestling,” said Steldt. “To sustain such an injury and not even take a timeout is an example of his toughness, as well as representative of our overall team’s attitude.”

Fennimore also had a couple of tough near misses on Saturday.

Junior Logan Klaas (23–10) finished third at 182 pounds as did senior Dylan Kehoe (10–11) at 285 pounds. Juniors Nick Blaschke (16–22) and Mason Miles (16–10), who was wrestling with a bum shoulder, each finished fourth at 145 and 152 respectively.

“Logan Klaas was tough to swallow,” said Steldt. “It hurt to not see this kid move on. He definitely is state qualifier material, but was a causality of the tough regionals we are in. We really thought Logan would get a wrestle back after being beat by Klein from Lancaster. It would not happen though. Beinborn from Boscobel had some last minutes heroics verses Klein in the championship match, which destroyed any chance Logan would have at a wrestle back and a chance to move on.

“It was tough, because I know the time Logan committed to wrestling this past year. He traveled more and trained more than the guys ahead of him in placing. Though it is the cruelty of the sport, sometimes things just do not workout. Sometimes the matches do not come together like we plan. Luckily for Logan, and some others, we have the team run. We have the Team State title to win, some more memorable in time, than individual success. Logan and I will sit down and regroup, double down on the training, and in a year’s time I am confident Logan will see the Kohl Center, hopefully on Saturday night.”

WIAA Division 3 Lancaster Regional

from Saturday, Feb. 9 @ Lancaster)

Team scores — 1.Fennimore 274, 2.Lancaster 220.5, 3.Mineral Point 200.5, 4.Iowa–Grant/Highland 133, 5.Darlington/Black Hawk 132, 6.Boscobel 93, 7.River Ridge/Cassville 49.

Fennimore individual results

106 — Brody Lee (25-10) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Brody Lee (Fennimore) 25-10 won by fall over Levi Glasbrenner (Boscobel) 12-21 (Fall 0:59)

Semifinal - Brody Lee (Fennimore) 25-10 won by fall over Mason Welsh (Iowa-Grant/Highland) 26-7 (Fall 2:40)

1st Place Match - Remington Bontreger (Lancaster) 42-1 won by decision over Brody Lee (Fennimore) 25-10 (Dec 4-2)

2nd Place Match - Brody Lee (Fennimore) 25-10 won by rule over Mason Welsh (Iowa-Grant/Highland) 26-7 (RULE)

113 — Luke Blair (28-7) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Luke Blair (Fennimore) 28-7 received a bye () (Bye)

Semifinal - Luke Blair (Fennimore) 28-7 won by fall over Ross Lindsey (Mineral Point) 19-14 (Fall 2:58)

1st Place Match - Luke Blair (Fennimore) 28-7 won by decision over Carter Lull (Lancaster) 32-9 (Dec 7-5)

120 — Mason Lull (30-12) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Mason Lull (Fennimore) 30-12 received a bye () (Bye)

Semifinal - Mason Lull (Fennimore) 30-12 won by fall over Trapper Nafzger (Mineral Point) 0-2 (Fall 0:53)

1st Place Match - Mason Lull (Fennimore) 30-12 won by fall over Caleb Lucey (Lancaster) 25-13 (Fall 3:38)

126 — Alex Birchman (27-11) placed 2nd and scored 20.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Alex Birchman (Fennimore) 27-11 won by fall over Joesph Standaert (Darlington/Black Hawk) 3-12 (Fall 0:27)

Semifinal - Alex Birchman (Fennimore) 27-11 won by fall over Braiden Pickett (Boscobel) 18-6 (Fall 4:51)

1st Place Match - Danny Pittz (Mineral Point) 33-3 won by decision over Alex Birchman (Fennimore) 27-11 (Dec 4-2)

2nd Place Match - Alex Birchman (Fennimore) 27-11 won by rule over Braiden Pickett (Boscobel) 18-6 (RULE)

132 — Aidan Nutter (32-7) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Aidan Nutter (Fennimore) 32-7 received a bye () (Bye)

Semifinal - Aidan Nutter (Fennimore) 32-7 won by fall over Matthew Crosby (Lancaster) 23-16 (Fall 1:04)

1st Place Match - Aidan Nutter (Fennimore) 32-7 won by decision over Caden Carey (Mineral Point) 32-5 (Dec 5-2)

138 — Trevor Wanek (25-13) placed 1st and scored 24.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Trevor Wanek (Fennimore) 25-13 received a bye () (Bye)

Semifinal - Trevor Wanek (Fennimore) 25-13 won by fall over Isaac Oyen (Lancaster) 25-13 (Fall 3:12)

1st Place Match - Trevor Wanek (Fennimore) 25-13 won by decision over Kolbe Ubersox (Darlington/Black Hawk) 33-4 (Dec 6-3)

145 — Nick Blaschke (16-22) placed 4th and scored 9.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Nick Blaschke (Fennimore) 16-22 won by decision over Logan Schneider (Lancaster) 19-16 (Dec 5-3)

Semifinal - Dakota Frazier (Boscobel) 21-8 won by decision over Nick Blaschke (Fennimore) 16-22 (Dec 7-0)

3rd Place Match - Cal Dorota (Iowa-Grant/Highland) 19-11 won by decision over Nick Blaschke (Fennimore) 16-22 (Dec 3-0)

152 — Mason Miles (16-10) placed 4th and scored 11.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Mason Miles (Fennimore) 16-10 won by fall over Jason Sedbrook (Iowa-Grant/Highland) 8-7 (Fall 2:48)

Semifinal - Nolan Springer (Mineral Point) 31-8 won by tech fall over Mason Miles (Fennimore) 16-10 (TF-1.5 0:00 (15-0))

3rd Place Match - Hunter Bredeson (Darlington/Black Hawk) 27-11 won by fall over Mason Miles (Fennimore) 16-10 (Fall 1:38)

160 — Maguire Fitzgerald (32-5) placed 1st and scored 22.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Maguire Fitzgerald (Fennimore) 32-5 received a bye () (Bye)

Semifinal - Maguire Fitzgerald (Fennimore) 32-5 won by decision over Clay McCartney (Lancaster) 10-14 (Dec 13-9)

1st Place Match - Maguire Fitzgerald (Fennimore) 32-5 won by decision over Mason Hughes (Mineral Point) 27-8 (Dec 3-2)

170 — Will Ahnen (35-9) placed 1st and scored 22.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Will Ahnen (Fennimore) 35-9 received a bye () (Bye)

Semifinal - Will Ahnen (Fennimore) 35-9 won by decision over Dustin Wolf (Lancaster) 9-3 (Dec 15-10)

1st Place Match - Will Ahnen (Fennimore) 35-9 won by decision over Carson Lobdell (Darlington/Black Hawk) 23-15 (Dec 7-1)

182 — Logan Klaas (23-10) placed 3rd and scored 16.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Logan Klaas (Fennimore) 23-10 won by fall over Wiley Zasada (Darlington/Black Hawk) 1-4 (Fall 1:12)

Semifinal - Troy Klein (Lancaster) 34-7 won by major decision over Logan Klaas (Fennimore) 23-10 (MD 13-5)

3rd Place Match - Logan Klaas (Fennimore) 23-10 won by fall over Gavin Esser (River Ridge/Cassville) 6-7 (Fall 1:50)

2nd Place Match - Troy Klein (Lancaster) 34-7 won by rule over Logan Klaas (Fennimore) 23-10 (RULE)

195 — Aaron Ragels (31-9) placed 2nd and scored 22.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Aaron Ragels (Fennimore) 31-9 won by fall over daniel Nordstorm (Mineral Point) 15-16 (Fall 0:41)

Semifinal - Aaron Ragels (Fennimore) 31-9 won by fall over Jacob Bray (Boscobel) 16-19 (Fall 0:38)

1st Place Match - Caden Straka (Lancaster) 36-6 won by decision over Aaron Ragels (Fennimore) 31-9 (Dec 4-3)

2nd Place Match - Aaron Ragels (Fennimore) 31-9 won by fall over Donald Laufenberg (Iowa-Grant/Highland) 18-13 (Fall 1:05)

220 — Brayden Leffler (26-10) placed 2nd and scored 18.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Brayden Leffler (Fennimore) 26-10 received a bye () (Bye)

Semifinal - Brayden Leffler (Fennimore) 26-10 won by decision over Cole Zenz (Lancaster) 34-7 (Dec 8-3)

1st Place Match - Drew Hennessey (Iowa-Grant/Highland) 34-1 won by fall over Brayden Leffler (Fennimore) 26-10 (Fall 2:29)

2nd Place Match - Brayden Leffler (Fennimore) 26-10 won by rule over Cole Zenz (Lancaster) 34-7 (RULE)

285 — Dylan Kehoe (10-11) placed 3rd and scored 16.0 team points.

Quarterfinal - Dylan Kehoe (Fennimore) 10-11 won by fall over Ben Withey (Lancaster) 25-15 (Fall 2:49)

Semifinal - Garrett Ward (Mineral Point) 22-14 won by fall over Dylan Kehoe (Fennimore) 10-11 (Fall 0:14)

3rd Place Match - Dylan Kehoe (Fennimore) 10-11 won by fall over Fredi Santos (River Ridge/Cassville) 14-15 (Fall 2:29)

2nd Place Match - Garrett Ward (Mineral Point) 22-14 won by rule over Dylan Kehoe (Fennimore) 10-11 (RULE)

SWAL Conference

SWAL Conference